Australia prop Matt Dunning will miss Saturday's Test against France in Sydney due to a continuing leg problem.
Waratahs prop ruled out of Australia game with France with leg injury.
Australia prop Matt Dunning will miss Saturday's Test against France in Sydney due to a continuing leg problem.
Dunning was due to start against the French on Saturday but a reoccurrence of bleeding from a dead leg has forced him to withdraw from the match.
Ben Alexander has been called-up from the Australia A side in Brisbane as a replacement, but Australia's most-capped Test prop Al Baxter is promoted into the starting line-up in the tighthead position.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says Dunning picked up his injury during the victory over Ireland in Melbourne a fortnight ago but despite giving it time to settle down the prop could not recover in time.
"It re-bled after training on Tuesday causing him some discomfort," said Deans.
Late call
"We made the call at that stage to place Ben Alexander on stand-by and brought him back down from Brisbane on Wednesday before making the call this morning to withdraw Matt from the Test.
"It wasn't coming right as soon as we'd have liked so we made the decision before training this morning that it was in the best interests of all of the parties involved that we make the call now and move on."
Deans though says that Dunning's replacement Alexander will have no problems slotting into the full Australia squad.
The 23-year-old, who plays for the ACT Brumbies, has played on both side of the pack during training with the Wallabies.
"He's ready to go and did his job well for Australia A last Sunday," Deans added.
"It is a great opportunity for him."
Alexander admitted his inclusion had come as a surprise.
"I didn't actually know I'd be involved until Robbie told the whole team at training this morning," he said.
"Up until then, I was under the impression that I was just there as cover but it was a massive feeling to learn that I'd be part of it. I can't wait."
